Killing Intent Arises

Qi Yu stared at the approaching figure.

The silhouette gradually became clear in the dim red light.

Her face was cold, devoid of any emotion, her eyes lifeless, like two cheap glass beads embedded in her sockets. As they shifted slightly, they exuded a gloomy ugliness.

The entire person seemed like a puppet witch adorned with a long wig, stiff and unsettling.

The data above her head was equally strange: "71(101)".

This was power derived from the Umbrella Sect's cipher system. As for why there was a "hidden data" point, it was likely due to the absence of a partner, creating a void.

Once her partner was found, her combat power would instantly soar to 101.

This was actually still within the Eighth Rank category.

For an Eighth Rank martial artist without a weapon, the normal limit was 60. If they wielded a weapon, it would increase further... but it shouldn't reach the value of 101.

From this perspective, the sect was indeed very powerful. Under the same conditions, a martial artist who joined the sect was stronger than one who didn't.

Qi Yu looked at the approaching "Black Umbrella."

It wasn't that he was prejudiced against her appearance, but Master Chen's actions were truly unusual.

His father must have made arrangements in advance, offering generous gifts. By all rights, even if Master Chen couldn't let him choose freely, he should have at least informed him of the predetermined candidate beforehand as a courtesy.

But he hadn't.

Judging by the situation, Master Chen intended to make a direct designation without any room for discussion.

And this designated "partner," whether in combat power, appearance, or that chilling aura that suffocated him at first glance, was difficult for Qi Yu to accept.

As his thoughts raced, Master Chen had already strolled over, a practiced, condescending smile plastered on his face. He lowered his voice and said, "Yu'er, this Shadow Envoy Xiang, your uncle has carefully selected her for you. She will be of great benefit to you and the Qi Family. Go with her, and she will teach you the subsequent rules."

Saying this, Master Chen didn't wait for Qi Yu's response at all, as if the matter was already completely settled.

Qi Yu's opinion was not important.

Once he designated it, it was decided.

Master Chen looked at Xiang Nanfeng, who was slowly approaching, and said, "Shadow Envoy Xiang, this child is in your hands now."

Xiang Nanfeng's cold gaze swept over Qi Yu. Just as she was about to speak, Qi Yu beat her to it, a respectful smile appearing on his face. "Uncle Chen, this matter is of great importance. Please allow your nephew some time to consider."

Master Chen didn't even stop walking, as if he had only heard an insignificant piece of nonsense. He casually waved his hand and said with a kind smile, "No need to consider, it's already decided."

Xiang Nanfeng also urged, "Let's go."

Qi Yu understood.

He didn't know the intricate details of what was going on behind the scenes.

But he understood that this was another "obedience test."

The first was wearing the red robe.

The second was the designated partner.

This was Master Chen taming the Qi Family.

Just then, Qi Zhao, who was seated nearby, suddenly stood up and said, "Master Chen, please give my cousin some time to think."

Master Chen finally stopped, slowly turned his head, and his gaze fell on Qi Zhao, his brows furrowed tightly.

He slowed his speech, each word deliberately heavy, as if reciting, "Miss Qi, you haven't been officially appointed yet, have you? Currently, I am Yu'er's recommender. Shadow Envoy Xiang is a female envoy of the Umbrella's Shadow. Both by sentiment and reason, whether it's her or me, do we not have the authority to designate a disciple as a partner?"

He emphasized the word "authority" heavily.

Qi Zhao lowered her head slightly and smiled, "Master Chen, please don't be angry. I didn't mean that..."

As she spoke, she gestured to the side with her eyes, hoping to speak in private.

Master Chen's expression remained unchanged as he followed her to the side. After a brief exchange, he returned, and a kind smile reappeared on his face.

He whispered a couple of words to Xiang Nanfeng, then turned to Qi Yu and said with a smile, "Yu'er, your uncle is doing this for your own good. A suitable envoy is very rare... However, since you insist on considering, your uncle is not an unreasonable person. I will give you ten days. Ten days, enough for you to think it through, right?"

Qi Yu gave a wry smile, "Uncle Chen, could you possibly extend it for a few more days?"

Master Chen's brow twitched, showing his displeasure.

Qi Yu waved his hands repeatedly and obediently said, "Alright, alright, ten days it is. Thank you, Uncle Chen."

Since it was a designation by the recommender, the one or two Black Umbrellas who might have wanted to compete didn't speak up.

As the ceremony concluded, the people in the underground chamber began to disperse.

"Brother Qi."

Han Yan walked over from a distance, waving.

Qi Yu turned his head, "Brother Han."

Han Yan said excitedly, "Brother Qi, I truly admire you. You were able to defeat Zhen Tianshuang without undergoing the cipher baptism... He has the qualifications of a high-grade level."

Qi Yu smiled faintly and waved his hand, "It was just luck."

Immediately after, he saw his cousin signaling to him from the other side and said, "I still have some things to attend to, I'll be going ahead."

Han Yan watched his retreating back, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.

When he had faced Zhen Tianshuang earlier and surrendered immediately, it was because he felt inferior, believing his lower aptitude was no match for superior talent.

But then... Qi Yu, someone who hadn't even undergone the Cipher's baptism, crippled Zhen Tianshuang with martial arts. This filled him with excitement and restored his confidence.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, slapping his forehead and shouting, "Brother Qi..."

However, Qi Yu was already far away.

Qi Yu invited Qi Zhao into his carriage.

Ding Yi drove.

His cousin's carriage followed behind.

The wheels rumbled over the dirt road.

Before Qi Yu could speak, Qi Zhao said angrily, "Chen Bingyi is truly despicable. He's either taking benefits from both sides or trying to control my Qi family by allying with a Black Umbrella."

Chen Bingyi was Master Chen's name.

Qi Yu's gaze sharpened. "He gave me ten days. Cousin, the price you promised him must be significant, right?"

"It's manageable..." Qi Zhao's pretty face was frosty. She then took out a completely black booklet from her embrace, her fingers gently stroking the cover. "I've been studying these doctrines day and night, not daring to slack off, only seeking sincerity in my heart. Once I endure three years, I can officially be promoted to Internal Affairs Envoy... By then, I won't have to be controlled by Chen Bingyi anymore."

Qi Yu remained silent.

He had a rough idea.

The Eldest and Third branches must have borrowed the Umbrella Sect's power to snatch the Herb Gathering Pavilion from the Second branch back then.

Now, that reliance had become a new problem.

Surrounded by enemies, both harboring intentions to devour them.

His expression shifted slightly.

Qi Zhao, being extremely perceptive, immediately said, "I brought many gifts today, originally intending to probe the waters and use the opportunity to establish connections with other External and Internal Affairs Envoys. After all, relying solely on Chen Bingyi means being controlled by him... Unfortunately, it was useless.

The Umbrella Sect strictly prohibits infighting. My Qi family is led by Chen Bingyi, so others won't interfere..."

She then smiled, "Honestly, this is my problem to worry about, yet here I am complaining to you... It's fine, little cousin. It's just a normal issue. You focus on your martial arts and don't worry about these things.

As for that Xiang Nanfeng, I've inquired. She was originally Zhen Tianshuang's partner. Her previous partner died, and after investing heavily in Zhen Tianshuang with sacrifices, you crippled him again... Now she's set her sights on you.

Little cousin, take these ten days to adjust your mindset. A partner... is not a spouse."

Qi Yu nodded and suddenly asked, "When I arrived earlier, I saw six people carrying something..."

Qi Zhao replied, "It's a Demon Corpse. Those are subordinates of the Internal Affairs Envoys responsible for sacrifices, specializing in transporting dead Demon Corpses to a certain location. Those six people are just the lowest-level Corpse-Carrying Cultists."

Qi Yu said, "I'm quite interested. Cousin, can you take me to see it?"

Qi Zhao said, "Only Sacrifice Internal Affairs Envoys are qualified to view it. If you're interested, little cousin, I'll ask about it later."

Qi Yu looked at the flowing streetscape outside the window and suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, is your three-year probationary period mandatory? Can it be shortened?"

Qi Zhao said, "It can, but it requires offering sufficiently generous sacrifices... The cost to obtain sacrifices of that level is beyond our current means."

Qi Yu nodded...

His gaze drifted.

The Qi family, while appearing to maintain balance, was actually fraught with peril. Although his second uncle was not a good person, his father and eldest uncle were also drinking poison to quench their thirst.

Could his cousin truly endure these three years and ascend to power?

He suddenly lowered his voice and leaned closer. "Cousin, if Chen Bingyi... were gone, what impact would that have on my Qi family?"

Qi Zhao's head snapped up, a flash of shock in her eyes. She lowered her voice. "Don't do anything foolish."

Qi Yu chuckled. "How could I? I only have these few skills. I wouldn't dare. I'm just asking."

Qi Zhao stared at him for a moment before replying, "Then my Qi family would have to choose a new Deacon to attach ourselves to. After all, inviting a Black Umbrella requires arrangements through a Deacon... unless one has personal connections with a Black Umbrella. Let alone personal connections, we can barely even see a Black Umbrella on a normal day, and most Black Umbrellas have eccentric personalities and are extremely difficult to get along with."

Qi Yu nodded, resigned. "I understand. I'll choose Xiang Nanfeng in ten days."

His gaze was distant...

He glanced at the 32 Skill Points on his status panel.

It was time for him to pick out a weapon.

"Cousin, I'll have you dropped off at the crossroads later. I'm going to the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall to see my fiancée and cleanse my eyes."

Qi Zhao teased, "Now that's more like it! You should look at Miss Song more often to make up for it."